Class 12th India People and Economy Chapter 6 PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN INDIAN CONTEXT Exercise Solution (English Medium)
EXERCISES
1. Choose the right answers of the following from the given options.
(i) Regional planning relates to :
(a) Development of various sectors of economy.
(b) Area specific approach of development.
(c) Area differences in transportation network.
(d) Development of rural areas.
Answer - (b) Area specific approach of development.
Note - Economic development, over space, is not uniform in any country. Some areas are more developed and some lag behind. This necessitates the planners to have a spatial perspective and draw the plans to reduce regional imbalances in development. This type of planning is referred to as regional planning.
(ii) ITDP refers to which one of the following?
(a) Integrated Tourism Development Programme
(b) Integrated Travel Development Programme
(c) Integrated Tribal Development Programme
(d) Integrated Transport Development Programme
Answer - (c) Integrated Tribal Development Programme
Note - The Integrated Tribal Development Programme is an area development plan, aimed at improving the quality of life of the tribal communities and narrowing the gap in the level of development of the tribal region with the rest of the state.
(a) Agricultural development
(b) Eco-development
(c) Transport development
(d) Colonisation of land
Answer - (b) Eco-development
Note - Attaining sustainable development in the Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area requires major thrust upon the measures to achieve ecological sustainability.
(i) What are the social benefits of ITDP in the Bharmaur tribal region?
Answer - The process of development of tribal area of Bharmaur started in 1970s when Gaddis were included among ‘scheduled tribes’. Under the Fifth Five Year Plan, the tribal sub-plan was introduced in 1974 and Bharmaur was designated as one of the five Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDP) in Himachal Pradesh. This area development plan was aimed at improving the quality of life of the Gaddis and narrowing the gap in the level of development between Bharmaur and other areas of Himachal Pradesh.
This plan laid the highest priority on development of transport and communications, agriculture and allied activities, and social and community services. The most significant contribution of tribal sub-plan in Bharmaur region is the development of infrastructure in terms of schools, healthcare facilities, potable water, roads, communications and electricity.
(ii) Define the concept of sustainable development.
Answer - The United Nations established a World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) headed by the Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland. The Commission gave its report (also known as Brundtland Report) entitled ‘Our Common Future’ in 1987. The report defines sustainable development as a “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
(iii) What are the positive impacts of irrigation on Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area?
Answer - Indira Gandhi Canal, previously known as the Rajasthan Canal, is one of the largest canal systems in India. Introduction of canal irrigation has brought about a perceptible transformation in the agricultural economy of the desert region in western India. Soil moisture has been a limiting factor in successful growing of crops in this area. Spread of canal irrigation has led to increase in cultivated area and intensity of cropping. The traditional crops sown in the area, gram, bajra and jowar have been replaced by wheat, cotton, groundnut and rice. This is the result of intensive irrigation.
Answer - Indira Gandhi Canal, previously known as the Rajasthan Canal, is one of the largest canal systems in India. Introduction of canal irrigation has brought about a perceptible transformation in the agricultural economy of the desert region in western India. Soil moisture has been a limiting factor in successful growing of crops in this area. Spread of canal irrigation has led to increase in cultivated area and intensity of cropping. The traditional crops sown in the area, gram, bajra and jowar have been replaced by wheat, cotton, groundnut and rice. This is the result of intensive irrigation.
This intensive irrigation, no doubt, initially has led to tremendous increase in agricultural and livestock productivity. This has also caused waterlogging and soil salinity, and thus, in the long run, it hampers the sustainability of agriculture (Negative Impacts).
3. Answer the following questions in about 150 words.
(i) Write short notes on drought-prone area programme. How does this programme help in the development of dryland agriculture in India?
Answer - Initiated during the 4th Five Year Plan, the objectives of drought prone area programme was providing employment to people in drought-prone areas and creating productive assets. The programme laid emphasis on the construction of labour-intensive civil works, initially. But later on, it emphasised on irrigation projects, land development programmes, afforestation, grassland development and criterion of basic rural infrastructure, such as electricity, market, credit and services.
The National Committee on Development of Backward Area observed that this programme is largely confined to the development of agriculture and allied sectors with major focus on restoring ecological balance. Moreover, as growing population pressure is forcing society to utilise the marginal lands for agriculture, and, thereby causing ecological degradation, there is a need to create alternative employment opportunities in the drought-prone areas.
The Planning Commission of India (1967) identified 67 districts of the country prone to drought. These districts are spread over Rajasthan, Gujarat, Western Madhya Pradesh, Marathwada region of Maharashtra, Rayalseema and Telangana plateaus, Karnataka plateau and highlands and interior parts of Tamil Nadu.
(ii) Suggest the measures of promotion of sustainability in Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area.
Answer - The ecological sustainability of Indira Gandhi Canal Project has been a serious problem before the authorities, especially after the initial thrust of the project has resulted in degradation of the physical environment.
To achieve ecological sustainability seven measures have been proposed:
1. Strict implementation of water management policy, which is to be protective irrigation in Stage-1 and extensive irrigation of crops and pasture development in Stage-2.
2. Cropping pattern shall not include water-intensive crops. It shall be adhered to, and people shall be encouraged to grow plantation crops such as citrus fruits.
3. The Canal Area Development programmes such as lining of water courses, land development and levelling and warabandi system shall be effectively implemented to reduce the conveyance loss of water.
4. The areas affected by water logging and soil salinity shall be reclaimed.
5. The eco-development through afforestation, shelterbelt plantation and pasture development are necessary particularly in the fragile environment of Stage-2.
6. The social sustainability in the region can be achieved only if the land allottees having poor economic background are provided adequate financial and institutional support for cultivation of land.
7. The economic sustainability in the region cannot be attained only through development of agriculture and animal husbandry. The agricultural and allied activities have to develop alongside other sectors of economy. This shall lead to diversification of functional linkages between basic villages, agro-service centres and market centres.
1. Strict implementation of water management policy, which is to be protective irrigation in Stage-1 and extensive irrigation of crops and pasture development in Stage-2.
2. Cropping pattern shall not include water-intensive crops. It shall be adhered to, and people shall be encouraged to grow plantation crops such as citrus fruits.
3. The Canal Area Development programmes such as lining of water courses, land development and levelling and warabandi system shall be effectively implemented to reduce the conveyance loss of water.
4. The areas affected by water logging and soil salinity shall be reclaimed.
5. The eco-development through afforestation, shelterbelt plantation and pasture development are necessary particularly in the fragile environment of Stage-2.
6. The social sustainability in the region can be achieved only if the land allottees having poor economic background are provided adequate financial and institutional support for cultivation of land.
7. The economic sustainability in the region cannot be attained only through development of agriculture and animal husbandry. The agricultural and allied activities have to develop alongside other sectors of economy. This shall lead to diversification of functional linkages between basic villages, agro-service centres and market centres.
Thus, the measures to promote sustainability in Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area have adopted a holistic outlook towards development with an objective to improve the living standards of the inhabitant around the IGCCA region.
Project
(i) Find out the area development programmes being implemented in your region. Assess the impact of such programmes on the society and economy in your locality.
(ii) Select your own area or identify an area facing severe environmental and socio-economic problems. Make an assessment of its resources and prepare their inventory. Suggest the measures for its sustainable development as it has been done in the case of Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area.